About Sugar Research Australia (SRA)
Sugar Research Australia invests in and manages a portfolio of research, development and adoption projects that drive productivity, profitability and sustainability for the Australian sugarcane industry.
We have highly dedicated and passionate people working on industry-critical projects to deliver tangible value outcomes and impact for our industry stakeholders.
About the role
Responsible for the oversight of the Financial Management & Reporting Team, managing the end-to-end delivery of financial accounting information, payroll and transactional services.
The position also has oversight of the Management Accounting team responsible for the timely and accurate preparation and presentation of financial and management information used in planning, decision making, control of SRA budget and forecasting and reporting to stakeholders.
The Senior Finance manager is responsible for the provision of expert advice to SRA on all financial and management accounting information and reporting matters including planning of the organisation’s resources, providing information for decision making and ensuring that internal controls align with requirements of the SRA Board and its Committees.
The position works closely with the General Manager, Finance and Operations, and other key leaders within SRA. The role also liaises with external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Lead and mentor the Finance team fostering a culture of superior customer service delivery, professionalism, teamwork and accountability.
- Provide leadership and strategic direction to the finance team and wider business during a period of technology upgrades including a new ERP system.
- Responsible for the delivery of SRA’s quarterly forecasting and annual budget process.
- Responsible for the delivery of Statutory Accounts, Audit, Tax compliance and related reporting.
- Responsibility for Treasury and Cashflow management with overall ownership of portfolio investment allocations for research programs.
- Responsibility for ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of monthly financial information to ensure management and Board deliverables are met.
- Preparation and presentation of policies and reports to Board and Audit and Risk Committee.
- Oversight and knowledge owner regarding SRA specific revenue recognition relating to levies and funding agreement reporting ensuring adherence to all relevant accounting standards and when appropriate liaising with State & Federal Government departments and other grant funding entities.
- Lead business partnering initiatives with the team working cross functionally with various business units, to provide financial insights and support strategic initiatives acting as a trusted advisor.
- Scan and monitor potential developments that may impact SRA, exercising a strategic perspective to evaluate likely impacts and recommend the appropriate course of pre-emptive or post-event responses from a financial perspective.
- Provide leadership and direction in the development/updating and implementation of policies and procedures to support system changes and best practice.
- Identify and lead process improvement initiatives within the finance function and across SRA’s business operations, to reduce financial risk and improve efficiency.
- Manage key relationships with auditors, taxation, payroll, insurance, fleet and financial systems support providers.
- Assist the GM Finance and Operations with any additional duties as required.
- Demonstrates commitment to fostering the continuous development of a safer, healthier and more sustainable workplace at SRA, in a way that would be expected for this position.
- Identify and act on the training needs of yourself and those within your team to foster an environment of continuous learning within SRA.
- Any other duties as required from time to time.
About you
You will bring with you the following qualifications, capabilities and experience:
Essential
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar role at a similar management level.
- Effective leadership and team management experience.
- Strategic mindset with a demonstrated track record of contributing to business system improvements.
- Highly developed adaptability and flexibility, in developing and accommodating changes in strategic and operational priorities affecting the role.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, in particular Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
- A current manual driver’s licence is required to drive SRA vehicles.
Desirable
- Change Management experience - ERP implementation.
- Experience working within a similar sized not for profit organisation or government department or Agribusiness knowledge.
- CPA/CA qualified.
To Apply
Please note this is a Permanent role and some intra- and inter-state travel may be required.
Please copy and paste the following link into your browser for the full position description: https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Senior-Finance-Manager-Position-Description.pdf
If your capabilities and experience meet the requirements of the role and you would like to be part of our dedicated team, please click ‘Apply’ to submit your application no later than Friday 7 March 2025. Your application should include your resume and address the requirements of the position.
Applicants must have the right to work in Australia in order to apply. The successful applicant will also be required to undertake a medical screening and a police check.
